Pacers: George trade was best for franchise

Eventually, he figured dealing Paul George was the best way to protect the Indiana Pacers.

On Thursday, Pritchard finally made the blockbuster trade official by announcing the four-time All-Star was heading to Oklahoma City in exchange for Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis.

“It was difficult both on a personal and professional level,” Pritchard said in a statement. “Everyone here knows what Paul meant to this franchise; he was both a tremendous human being as well as player here for seven years.”

George essentially forced the move when word leaked just before the draft that he intended to leave the team as a free agent next summer.

That disclosure put the Pacers in a bind: Build around George for one final run at an NBA title, lose their star player and get nothing in return or shop George for the best deal they could find with his public plans hurting his trade value. Pritchard called the news a “gut punch” during last month’s draft. He hasn’t spoken to reporters since then, but under NBA rules the deal could be announced Thursday.

“We feel very strongly about the potential Victor and Domantas bring to our team and what they mean for the future of the franchise,” Pritchard said. “Both are highly competitive, highly skilled and both are winners. That is why both were lottery picks. That is why we sought them out to be part of this deal.”

Indiana’s backcourt got a little thinner Thursday when Pritchard waived backup Monta Ellis and his $11 million salary. Ellis spent two seasons in Indiana, but lost his starting job last season and had been suspended for the first five games of next season for violating the NBA’s anti-drug policy.

The Pacers also are expected to lose starting point guard Jeff Teague to Minnesota on a three-year deal worth $57 million. Teague averaged 15.3 points and a career-high 7.8 assists for Indiana last season.

NOWITZKI RE-SIGNS: A person with knowledge of the agreement said the Dallas Mavericks and Dirk Nowitzki have agreed on a two-year, $10 million deal that assures a 20th season for the star forward.

The second year of the contract carries a team option, the source said. The 39-year-old Nowitzki is set to join Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers as the only players to spend 20 seasons with one franchise.

GAY WILL JOIN SPURS: The San Antonio Spurs have signed veteran forward Rudy Gay.

Gay averaged 18.7 points last season in Sacramento but was limited to 30 games before rupturing his left Achilles tendon in January and having surgery a few days later.

Terms of the deal announced Thursday were not disclosed.

The 6-foot-8 Gay has averaged 18.4 points in 753 career games.

OLYNYK FEELS THE HEAT: Kelly Olynyk has agreed to sign with the Miami Heat.

Agent Greg Lawrence confirmed the decision Thursday night. ESPN reported it would be a four-year deal worth in excess of $50 million.

The deal has not been signed, though could be as early as Friday.

A 7-foot center with 3-point range, Olynyk spent his first four NBA seasons with the Boston Celtics and played mostly as a reserve.

THREE-TEAM DEAL: The Los Angeles Clippers acquired forward Danilo Gallinari from Denver as part of a three-team trade that also involved Atlanta.

In the swap, the Clippers sent Jamal Crawford, Diamond Stone, cash considerations and a protected 2018 first-round pick to the Hawks. The Nuggets receive a 2019 second-round pick from Atlanta.

The sharp-shooting Gallinari joins a Clippers team that recently traded Chris Paul to Houston but agreed to a five-year deal with Blake Griffin.

KINGS ADD VETERAN CARTER: The Sacramento Kings and eight-time All-Star Vince Carter agreed to a one-year, $8 million deal, league sources confirmed to The Sacramento Bee — adding another successful veteran who they believe can help mentor their young players.

Carter, 40, spent the last three seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies and will reunite with coach Dave Joerger, who led the Grizzlies in Carter’s first two seasons there, as well as former Memphis teammate Zach Randolph, who agreed to sign with Sacramento this week.

Carter gives the Kings an experienced player who can provide minutes at small forward. The 6-foot-6 swingman averaged 8.0 points and 3.1 rebounds for the Grizzlies last season.